Stamps’ ferocious defensive line corrals Riders in pre-season finale

Demonte' Bolden tries to get away from Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant after catching an interception in the first quarter.Liam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant passes the ball to Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Kory Sheets in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate makes as pass past Saskatchewan Roughriders safety Craig Butler in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Darian Durant hands the ball off to running back Kory Sheets in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders defensive back Fred Bennett tips the ball away from Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Taj Smith in the second quarter of CFL pre-season football action against in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Kory Sheets celebrates a touchdown in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Chamblin looks on as his team takes the field in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Chris Getzlaf grabs a pass in front of Calgary Stampeders defensive back Jonathan Hefney in the second quarter of CFL pre-season football action against in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders slotback Nik Lewis runs the ball in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate hands the ball off to running back Jon Cornish in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel looks over his note as his team takes the field in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Drew Tate runs the ball past Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Renauld Williams in the first quarter of CFL pre-season football action in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

Saskatchewan Roughriders linebacker Renauld Williams hits Calgary Stampeders slotback Jabari Arthur in the second quarter of CFL pre-season football action in Regina, Sask., Thursday, June 20, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Liam RichardsLiam Richards
/ THE CANADIAN PRESS

REGINA — Charleston Hughes touched down in the Queen City Thursday determined to renew acquaintances with one particular denizen of the East stands at Mosaic Stadium.

“There’s a guy with a shaved head, and he’s always double-fisting with two beers,” the Calgary Stampeders defensive end was saying the other day. “I know the guy, but I don’t know his name. He’s always wearing green. And he’s always screaming with two beers in his hands, and he always points to me every time.

“I like Regina fans. They do pick on me from time to time, but I just continue to stay focused on the football game. I talk to them after I make a play.”

On behalf of the entire defensive line, Hughes had plenty to chat about Thursday night with the green-clad faithful during a 24-23 exhibition victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Consider the case of Shawn Lemon, for starters. The Edmonton Eskimos castaway invoked havoc on the Saskatchewan front with three tackles and three sacks of beleaguered quarterback Darian Durant. And he amassed those stats in the first half alone.

In fact, in the opening 30 minutes, rookie defensive tackle Micah Johnson collected two tackles and a sack. Defensive tackle Demonte’ Bolden chipped in with a tackle and an interception on a perfect tip by fellow defensive tackle Corey Mace.

Pity defensive coaches DeVone Claybrooks and Rick Campbell for they are tasked with choosing who stays and who goes out of a stellar list of candidates on the defensive line.

“They have a lot of tough decisions to make,” Lemon said. “As a player, all you can do is go out there and play with your heart and try to make a name for yourself.

“Pre-season is when you compete for jobs.”

Prior to 9:59 p.m. MT on Saturday, the Stamps must submit their 46-man roster (plus a practice roster of up to nine players). Injured players do not count toward the 46.

As of Thursday night, the Stamps had 74 players in the ranks, so cuts are coming . . . fast.

Here are the other Calgary highlights (and lowlights) of the final audition:

* Defensive backs Fred Bennett, Derrius Brooks, Brandon Smith and Jonathan Hefney (yes, that Jonathan Hefney) took turns at displaying superb one-on-one coverage against the star-studded Saskatchewan receiving corps. Breakdowns ensued in the second half with the Calgary rookies in the game, but the starters are in mid-season form.

* At quarterback, Drew Tate looked more comfortable at the controls, completing nine-of-21 passes for 107 yards and a touchdown. And yes, he will start –barring injury, of course — next Friday when the Stamps kick off the regular season against the B.C. Lions. “Drew played better than he did last week,” said head coach/GM John Hufnagel. “With room for improvement.”

* Kevin Glenn entered the game late in the third quarter and picked up right where he left off last week. No matter what happens to Tate, the Stamps have the best insurance policy in the league in No. 15. In limited action, Glenn completed four-of-five passes for 39 yards.

* Third-stringer Bo Levi Mitchell calmly controlled the offence in the fourth quarter and finished the night a perfect 4-of-4 for 41 yards.

* Tailback Jon Cornish is clearly ready for the season to start with eight carries for 50 yards in the first half.

* Tailback/kick returner LaMarcus Coker scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter with sheer desire on short yardage, but fumbled twice in the first half.

* In the receiving corps, rookie Khalil Paden stood out as the most productive newcomer with five catches for 48 yards.

* In terms of discipline, Hufnagel made no secret after the game of his displeasure with two third-quarter penalties (an offside to Micah Johnson and an offside to Kevin Dixon) that prolonged Saskatchewan drives and turned into touchdowns.

Rob Cote, with a touchdown, Rene Paredes, with three field goals (on three attempts), and Rob Maver, with a single, rounded out the scoring for Calgary. Kory Sheets (2) and Scott McHenry replied with touchdowns for Saskatchewan.

Short yardage: LB Karl McCartney, a special-teams demon against the Riders, left the game in the second half with knee bruise. S Adam Berger was scheduled to play the entire second half but pulled a hamstring. Bennett also suffered a knee bruise.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.